Irish Times Notes22 Apr 23

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Camino de Dublin

A new short film, Camino de Dublin, written and directed by historian Caoimhe Leppard, documents the journey that medieval pilgrims would have taken from St James’s Gate through the city of Dublin to the area where they would have embarked to set sail for Spain.

The history of St James’s Way dates to the beginning of the 9th century with the discovery of St James’s tomb at Santiago de Compostela in north west Spain. Every year hundreds of thousands of pilgrims of all faiths, ages and backgrounds walk to the Cathedral in Santiago, which is the resting place of Saint James the Apostle.

St James’s Gate, on James Street in Dublin has been a traditional embarking point for Irish pilgrims since the 13th century. Pilgrims assembled here, before walking through the city and setting sail to Santiago de Compostela. The links between this ancient part of Dublin and St James span more than 800 years.

This documentary features interviews with Turlough O’Donnell SC, former Chairman of the Camino Society of Ireland and Patt Gibbs who leads the volunteers in the Camino Information Centre. They discuss the role of the Camino Information Centre and the motivations of pilgrims who are undertaking the Camino from Dublin in modern times.

Dr Susan Hood, Librarian & Archivist of the Representative Church Body Library speaks about Archbishop Alen’s  Register, a 16th century compilation of medieval sources which records the intention to have a hostel for pilgrims in Dublin who intended to travel to the shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostela.

The film can be viewed on the Dublin and Glendalough YouTube channel.

The 175th anniversary of St. Mary’s Parochial School, Clonmel, will celebrated tomorrow (Sunday) in the Model School Building from 2–5 pm. In St Fiaac’s church, Clonegal, Co Carlow, at 4pm, there will be a Songs of Praise Service at which the preacher will be the Dean of Waterford, the Very Revd Bruce Hayes. At Evensong in St Patrick’s cathedral, Armagh, the Very Revd Peter Thompson will be installed as Archdeacon of Armagh and the Revd Matthew Hagan as Prebendary of Mullabrack.

On Monday at the invitation of Archbishop Hosam the Archbishop of Dublin will attend the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East Majma (Synod).

The Spring edition of Eco–Congregation Ireland’s newsletter highlights the hosting of the Climate Justice Candle by Wexford & Kilscoran and Carrigrohane parishes.  Holy Trinity Killiney is continuing with a monthly prayer or thought for the environment and St Mary’s, Carrigaline, plans to extend its pollinator–friendly garden and introduce some areas with Irish native wildflowers, such as angelica and red campion.

New appointments in the Diocese of Dublin & Glendalough have been announced. The Revd Kevin Ronné has been appointed as Rector of Raheny & Coolock. He is currently Rector of the Dunleckney in the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory where he has served for 10 years.

The Revd Caroline Casserly has begun her ministry as Assistant Priest in Zion parish. She was ordained deacon in 2013 in the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory to serve in the non–stipendiary ministry. She currently works as a director for a large not–for–profit housing association in Dublin.

The parishes of Castleknock & Mulhuddart with Clonsilla will welcome the Revd Natasha Quinn–Thomas as new Curate Assistant in June. She comes to the parish with extensive experience both in lay ministry and as a Curate in Dyffryn Clwyd Mission Area within St Asaph Diocese in Wales.